It’s kite flying time!

It’s time to fly at the 22nd annual Southern Oregon Kite Festival, which kicks off Friday with an indoor kite flying demonstration.

The free exhibition will be from 7 to 9 p.m. July 18 in the Brookings-High School gymnasium, 625 Pioneer Road, Brookings.

Kite pilots will demonstrate movements with kites of varying sizes that are designed to fly in a windless environment. The motion generated by the kite flier moving backward and in circles while pulling and jerking on the kite lines provides the “wind” for the kites to move, event organizers said.

Then on Saturday and Sunday, July 19 and 20, the festivities will take place at the Port of Brookings Harbor kite field on Boat Basin Road. The event will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.

More than 30 nationally and internationally renowned kite fliers are invited guests of the community, thanks to local businesses and individuals.

Announcer Arnold Stellema will introduce the kite fliers as they perform routines choreographed to music.

Attendees are invited to set up their chairs or blankets around the perimeter of the kite field and enjoy the performances. Guests are encouraged to take the free shuttle to and from the kite field by using the free parking area next to the Brookings-Harbor Chamber of Commerce office, 16330 Lower Harbor Road.

Free children’s kite building workshops will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. both days of the festival. Children will be invited onto the kite field to show off their creations during an afternoon kite parade.

A vendor area with a variety of food items and a diverse assortment of merchandise, including kites, will be for sale.

A kite auction banquet, to which the kite fliers, kite makers, and local businesses contribute collectible kites and other memorabilia to benefit the kite festival, is a special attraction on Saturday evening. A pancake breakfast sponsored by the Harbor Fire Volunteers is from 7 a.m. to noon on Sunday.

For additional information and to download this year’s kite festival program, go to http://www.sokf.org.